the list ...

beds for four kids

a bed for mom

sheets

blankets

shower curtain

bathroom things

dishes

microwave

clothes for new born baby boy

car seat

living room furniture

soap

tissue

bleach

laundry things

laundry basket

throw rugs

pillows

pretty much anything and everything that makes a home

*sigh*

this was her list

the list of my son's best friend's mom

a mom who only days ago was homeless

shuttling her four children place to place

and she is 7 months pregnant

a lady who just yesterday ... stood in front of me saying 

i just do not understand why you are helping me?

and as tears fell down her cheeks

she looked at me and said

Kate i am nothing

you see i know a lot of you maybe reading this and thinking

well ...

stop having kids

where is the husband

why is this my problem

get a job

isn't this why there is Federal assistance

and as i stood there in this dirty apartment landing

in a less than pretty part of Cedar Rapids

holding the hands of a woman who described herself as nothing

i felt shame

IT IS NOT MY JOB TO JUDGE ... IT IS MY JOB TO LOVE

to show

HIS LOVE

and so i hugged her and as i did i whispered in her ear

you are not nothing

you are loved

you are desired

you are worth far more than all of this

and HE is gonna show you

1 Samuel 12 ...

now stand still and see the great things the Lord

is about to do before your eyes!

if you would like to contribute any of the items above or

feel it in your heart to give and help secure a place for her

and her family to call home

email me at kbsibed@aol.com 

once your eyes have been opened

you can not pretend like you do not see

God who knows your heart and weighs your soul knows that you know

and holds you responsible to act. Proverbs 24:12